Aussie duo honoured as inaugural world number 1s
Right at Home Australian Jackaroos Aron Sherriff and Kelsey Cottrell have been recognised in World Bowls’ inaugural world rankings as the top bowlers on the planet.
World Bowls announced a new rankings system to recognise the world’s best on Wednesday at Club Helensvale.
The two Australians have had their scintillating form and success in recent years recognised, named as the number one male and female bowlers respectively.
Sherriff has been near untouchable in recent years, winning nearly everything he competed in.
Among recent successes includes two World Indoor Championships gold (2023 singles and mixed pairs), two World Bowls Championships gold (2023 triples and fours), and an abundance of domestic titles at Australian Opens and other events.
After taking time away from Australian duties in 2022, Sherriff said he has had amazing support to take him to the world’s best.
“It gave me an opportunity to reassess, set some goals, look within myself and try and be better,” he said.
“The last couple of years have been pretty, pretty cool. I’ve got a phenomenal support crew, there have been some average times, but everyone picked me up, gave me the support I needed, gave me the strength I needed, and I just went out there and performed.”
Cottrell has had an equally impressive record in recent years, including a World Indoors mixed pairs crown with Sherriff, a triples World Bowls Championships gold last year and also dominance in Australia, particularly at Australian Opens.
“I’m definitely honoured and privileged to be the inaugural, it’s very special and something I will cherish forever,” Cottrell said.
“A lot of the success to become world number one has not been individual, it’s been a team effort.”
Cottrell was full of praise for the new rankings system.
“It’s amazing. It’s such a great way to take this sport to the next level and make bowls so professional. It’s an exciting day,” she said.
The World Bowls Series is a compilation of events from around the world that allows bowlers to accrue ranking points across the various tiers of competitions. The events take place across a calendar year, with players required to defend points in order to maintain their ranking, much like the tennis system.
For more information about the rankings and the tournaments, visit https://worldbowlsseries.com/.
